From the Liveblog of
Monday, July 1, 2024
Thousands of Jewish, Arab activists gather in Tel Aviv to call for peace, end to Gaza war
Thousands are gathered in Tel Aviv’s Yad Eliyahu neighborhood for a massive gathering of what organizers brand as the Israeli peace camp, calling for a hostage deal and an end to the ongoing war in Gaza.
Onstage at the Menora Mivtachim Arena, a mix of Jewish and Arab activists, journalists, and politicians are speaking to the crowd of attendees, united in their message that “only peace can bring security.”
The large conference has brought together all corners of the embattled Israeli left, from veteran peace activists to left-wing politicians, including Joint List chairman Ayman Odeh, Labor MK Gilad Kariv, and former Meretz MK Mossi Raz.
Yanal Jbareen, a Palestinian journalist from Jerusalem who, earlier this year, covered the packed conference of the religious right promoting Jewish settlement of Gaza, tells the audience that he envisions today’s conference as a response to Israel’s ultranationalists.
“Against all this, it is the time to unite — Arabs and Jews,” he says. “Despair is no action plan, peace is the word.”
Internationally renowned Israeli historian Yuval Noah Harari is expected to give tonight’s keynote speech.
The Times of Israel Community.